Cookeville Tornado Map
During the pre-dawn hours of March 3, 2020, a short-lived but devastating and violent nocturnal tornado that was part of a small yet significant outbreak tracked 8.39 miles through portions of Putnam County, Tennessee, shortly after a long-lived, intense tornado moved through Nashville. The tornado was on the ground for roughly 8 minutes, tracking from Baxter to just west of downtown Cookeville. The tornado quickly intensified along its track, causing catastrophic damage to dozens of homes and businesses within several communities, killing 19 people and leaving another 87 injured.
The path of the Cookeville tornado
On the early hours of Tuesday, March 3, 2020, a tornado touched down just northwest of Baxter. Over the next 8.4 miles it traveled east before lifting 7 miles east of Baxter, about 8 minutes later.
At its widest the damage path was 900 yards (0.5 miles) across. It was rated EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, a violent tornado. It killed 19 people and injured 87.
The track, widths and figures on this map come from National Weather Service damage surveys, so they can differ slightly from totals published elsewhere.
What was the Cookeville tornado?
The Cookeville tornado was a violent EF4 vortex that struck Putnam County, Tennessee, during the early morning hours of March 3, 2020. This storm was part of a larger outbreak spawned by a supercell that tracked across the state. It hit neighborhoods between Baxter and downtown Cookeville, inflicting $100 million in property damage. The event remains the worst tornado on record to affect Putnam County.
What was the Cookeville tornado wind speed?
Meteorologists estimated the peak wind speed of the Cookeville tornado at 175 mph. This velocity placed the storm in the EF4 category on the Enhanced Fujita scale. The most extreme winds occurred as the tornado moved through the Double Springs community and reached Hensley Drive. The intense winds destroyed 17 large, well-built houses in this area, providing the primary evidence for the official rating.
What was the Cookeville tornado path?
The Cookeville tornado path began 2.5 miles northwest of Baxter along Highway 70 at 1:48 a.m. CST. It traveled eastward for 8.39 miles across western and central Putnam County. The vortex crossed the Gainesboro Highway and moved through the Prosperity Pointe subdivision before striking the Double Springs community. The storm rapidly dissipated as it entered downtown Cookeville, lifting on Laurel Avenue at 1:56 a.m. CST.
How many people died in the Cookeville tornado?
Nineteen people died in the Cookeville tornado during its 8.39-mile track across Putnam County. The storm also resulted in 87 reported injuries. Many of the fatalities occurred on Hensley Drive, where the tornado reached its maximum intensity and destroyed numerous houses. Victims of the disaster ranged in age from toddlers to elderly residents, including five children under the age of 13.
What did the Cookeville tornado destroy?
The Cookeville tornado destroyed or damaged approximately 700 structures throughout Putnam County. It leveled 17 large homes on Hensley Drive and demolished an apartment complex on Echo Valley Drive. The vortex collapsed the ceilings of the local utility district office and deposited parts of a tractor-trailer onto its roof. The storm also severely damaged a public safety radio tower and the Echo Valley Market.
What caused the Cookeville tornado?
A long-track supercell thunderstorm caused the Cookeville tornado. This storm system originally formed near the Mississippi River in western Tennessee and moved eastward just north of the Interstate 40 corridor. An approaching cold front interacted with a warm, moist airmass to trigger the rotating thunderstorms. The resulting supercell spawned ten tornadoes across the state from the late evening of March 2 into the early morning of March 3.
What happened after the Cookeville tornado?
Following the Cookeville tornado, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and local officials established a $2.3 million disaster relief fund for survivors. President Donald Trump toured the damaged neighborhoods with state leaders to survey the destruction. FirstNet deployed eight mobile cell sites to restore communications after the local radio tower failed. The Cookeville Regional Medical Center treated 82 injured patients and waived all remaining medical fees after insurance.